A vehicle’s engine runs at a specific temperature. This temperature must be maintained; otherwise, the engine may stall and refuse to start.
The water pump plays an important role in the proper functioning of the engine. The pump regulates the amount of coolant that enters the engine. Its job is to continuously supply the engine with fresh, cold liquid from the radiator so that the engine can operate correctly.
However, when the water pump fails—and they do fail regularly—the engine will not get the right amount of coolant and will overheat. This is how water-cooled engines work: without water, the engine cannot survive.
Therefore, a properly functioning water pump is of crucial importance. If it fails, certain symptoms will appear, prompting you to contact a mechanic to ensure the engine is in good condition.
Symptoms of a Faulty Water Pump
The symptoms of a failing water pump will tell you whether you need to visit a mechanic or not.
| Problem | Symptoms | Causes | Solutions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faulty Water Pump |
Coolant Leak Engine Overheating White Smoke from Radiator (Overheating) |
Bad Water Pump Bearing Serpentine Belt |
Replace Water Pump Seals Replace Water Pump |
1. Coolant Leak
The water pump includes a number of seals that ensure the coolant remains sealed and the water flow is uninterrupted. However, over time, these seals can deteriorate and become completely useless, causing coolant to leak under the water pump. If you have a puddle of water or coolant under the front end of your car, you are likely dealing with a water pump failure and should therefore consult a mechanic.
2. Water Pump Pulley Loosens
There is a belt placed near the water pump that works in tandem with the engine. If the water pump fails, this belt will start making a strange whining noise, which sounds like a squeal. The loose belt is due to wear on the water pump bearings. If this happens, you should consider replacing the entire water pump rather than repairing it.
3. Engine Overheating
The main task of the water pump is to continuously supply the car’s engine with adequate water. If the water pump fails in some way, you will see the temperature gauge rise on the dashboard. This can happen for a number of reasons, such as a thermostat failure or short electrical wiring, but you should always have it checked by a certified mechanic. Otherwise, you risk widespread damage to the cylinder head gasket, cylinders, and pistons, all of which can reduce the overall lifespan of your engine.
4. White Smoke from the Radiator
If you see white smoke coming from your radiator, you are looking at a clear sign of water pump failure. The steam in the radiator is produced by an overheated engine, which can occur if the water pump is not working perfectly. Faced with this issue, it is best to stay safe, stop driving, wait for the engine to cool down, and try to contact your mechanic.
Possible Solutions
Fixing a water pump failure is not an easy task. Even though the part itself is small, it requires expert care for proper repair. Therefore, take your car to a mechanic to resolve your issues.
Replace the Water Pump
If a water pump is faulty, there is often not much more to do than replace the entire pump. In some cases, a faulty serpentine belt may be the reason why the pump is not working properly. The water pump is often driven by the timing belt. In these cases, you often also need to remove the timing belt, which is a difficult job and should not be attempted if you lack the knowledge. You can find water pumps at a good price on Amazon: Water Pumps
Use High-Quality Coolant
Perhaps the water pump has not yet failed, but it is on the verge of breaking down. This would mean that the water pump is working but not at its full capacity. In such a case, the engine will not circulate enough coolant in the cooling chamber and it will overheat. This can be avoided by using a higher quality coolant. If you use substandard coolant, it will not only cause problems in your engine but also fail to cool it properly. You can also try flushing your cooling system.
Repair or Replace the Water Pump
When it comes to the water pump, be aware that very often it is not easy to repair. Seals are metal sheets that can act as a barrier between opposing fluids such as water and oil. These seals can break or burst over time and need to be replaced.
When the water pump fails, the seals are the first thing your mechanic will look at and the first things they will change. Additionally, if your water pump operates electronically, your mechanic may need to check for electronic failures. If they exist, the repair will be short and quick.